Meet The Dogs Dalmatian Information General Dog Healthcare Links and Other Resources

        1950 AKC Standard

        The Head should be of a fair length, the skull flat, rather broad between the ears, and moderately well defined at the temple, i.e., exhibiting a moderate amount of stop, and not in one straight line from the nose to the occiput bone, as required in a Bull Terrier.  It should be entirely free from wrinkle.

        The Muzzle should be long and powerful; the lips clean, fitting the jaws moderately close.

        The Eyes should be set moderately well apart, and of medium size, round, bright and sparkling with an intelligent expression, their color greatly depending on the markings of the dog.  In the black-spotted variety the eyes should be dark (black or brown); in the liver-spotted variety they should be light (yellow or light-brown).   Wall eyes are permissible.
        The rim around the Eyes in the black-spotted variety should be black; in the liver-spotted variety, brown -- never flesh colored in either.

        The Ears should be set rather high, of moderate size, rather wide at the base and gradually tapering to a rounded point.
        They should be carried close to the head, be thin and fine in texture and always be spotted, the more profusely the better.

        The Nose in the black-spotted variety should always be black; in the liver-spotted variety, always brown.

        Neck and Shoulders -- The neck should be fairly long, nicely arched, light and tapering, and entirely free from throatiness.  The shoulders should be moderately oblique, clean and muscular, denoting speed.

        Body, Back, Chest and Loins -- The chest should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel hoops (which would indicate want of speed); back powerful; loin strong, muscular and slightly arched.

        Legs and Feet of great importance.  The fore legs should be perfectly straight, strong and heavy in bone; elbows close to the body; feet compact, well arched toes and tough, elastic pads.  In the hind legs the muscles should be clean, though well defined; the hocks well let down.

        Nails, in the black-spotted variety, black and white; in the liver-spotted variety, brown and white.

        Gait: Length of stride should be in proportion to the size of the dog; steady in rhythm of 1,2,3,4 as in the cadence count in military drill.  Front legs should not paddle, nor should there be a straddling appearance.  Hind legs should neither cross nor weave; judges should be able to see each leg move with no interference of another leg.  Drive and reach are most desirable.

        The Tail should not be too long, strong at the insertion, and gradually tapering towards the end, free from coarseness.  It should not be inserted too low down, but carried with a slight curve upwards and never curled.  It should be spotted, the more profusely the better.

        The Coat short, hard, dense and fine, sleek and glossy in appearance, but neither woolly nor silky.

        Color and Markings -- These are most important points.  The ground color in both varieties should be pure white, very decided and not intermixed.  The color of the spots in the black-spotted variety should be black, the deeper and richer the black the better; in the liver-spotted variety they should be brown.  The spots should not intermingle, but be as round and well defined as possible, the more distinct the better; in size they should be from that of a dime to a half-dollar.  The spots on the face, head, ears, legs, tail and extremities to be smaller than those on the body.

        Size -- Height of dogs and bitches between 19 and 23 inches; weight, between 35 and 50 pounds.

        General Appearance -- The Dalmatian should represent a strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical in outline and free from coarseness and lumber, capable of great endurance, combined with a fair amount of speed.

        SCALE OF POINTS

        Head and Eyes 10
        Ears 5
        Neck and Shoulders 10
        Body, Back, Chest and Loins 10
        Gait 10
        Legs and Feet 10
        Coat 5
        Color and Markings 25
        Tail 5
        Size, Symmetry, etc 10
        GRAND TOTAL 100

            

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